|
Lupeol
Lupeol is a pharmacologically active pentacyclic triterpenoid. It has several potential medicinal properties, like anticancer and anti-inflammatory activity. Natural occurrences Lupeol is found in a variety of plants, including mango, '' Acacia visco'' and '' Abronia villosa''. It is also found in dandelion coffee. Lupeol is present as a major component in ''Camellia japonica'' leaf. Total synthesis The first total synthesis of lupeol was reported by Gilbert Stork ''et al''. In 2009, Surendra and Corey reported a more efficient and enantioselective total synthesis of lupeol, starting from (''1E,5E'')-8- ''2S'')-3,3-dimethyloxiran-2-yl2,6-dimethylocta-1,5-dienyl acetate by use of a polycyclization. Biosynthesis Lupeol is produced by several organisms from squalene epoxide. Dammarane and baccharane skeletons are formed as intermediates. The reactions are catalyzed by the enzyme lupeol synthase. A recent study on the metabolomics of ''Camellia japonica'' leaf revealed ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lupeol Synthase
Lupeol synthase (, ''LUPI'', ''BPW'', ''RcLUS'') is an enzyme with systematic name ''(3S)-2,3-epoxy-2,3-dihydrosqualene mutase (cyclizing, lupeol-forming)''. This enzyme catalyses the following chemical reaction : (3S)-2,3-epoxy-2,3-dihydrosqualene \rightleftharpoons lupeol Lupeol is a pharmacologically active pentacyclic triterpenoid. It has several potential medicinal properties, like anticancer and anti-inflammatory activity. Natural occurrences Lupeol is found in a variety of plants, including mango, '' Acaci ... Also forms some beta-amyrin. References External links * {{Portal bar, Biology, border=no EC 5.4.99 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dandelion Coffee
Dandelion coffee (also dandelion tea) is a herbal tea, tisane made from the root of the Taraxacum, dandelion plant. The roasted dandelion root pieces and the beverage have some resemblance to coffee in appearance and taste, and it is thus commonly considered a coffee substitute. History The usage of the dandelion plant dates back to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Additionally, for over a thousand years, Traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese traditional medicine has been known to incorporate the plant. Susanna Moodie explained how to prepare dandelion 'coffee' in her memoir of living in Canada, ''Roughing it in the Bush'' (1852), where she mentions that she had heard of it from an article published in the 1830s in ''New York Albion'' by a certain Dr. Harrison. Dandelion 'coffee' was later mentioned in a ''Harper's Magazine, Harpers New Monthly Magazine'' story in 1886. In 1919, dandelion root was noted as a source of cheap 'coffee'. It has also been part of edible plan ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mango
A mango is an edible stone fruit produced by the tropical tree '' Mangifera indica''. It originated from the region between northwestern Myanmar, Bangladesh, and northeastern India. ''M. indica'' has been cultivated in South and Southeast Asia since ancient times resulting in two types of modern mango cultivars: the "Indian type" and the "Southeast Asian type". Other species in the genus '' Mangifera'' also produce edible fruits that are also called "mangoes", the majority of which are found in the Malesian ecoregion. Worldwide, there are several hundred cultivars of mango. Depending on the cultivar, mango fruit varies in size, shape, sweetness, skin color, and flesh color, which may be pale yellow, gold, green, or orange. Mango is the national fruit of India, Pakistan and the Philippines, while the mango tree is the national tree of Bangladesh. Etymology The English word ''mango'' (plural ''mangoes'' or ''mangos'') originated in the 16th century from the Portuguese ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Betulinic Acid
Betulinic acid is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid which has antiretroviral, antimalarial, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as a more recently discovered potential as an anticancer agent, by inhibition of topoisomerase. It is found in the bark of several species of plants, principally the white birch (''Betula pubescens'') from which it gets its name, same as the bracket fungus '' Fomitopsis betulina'', but also the ber tree ('' Ziziphus mauritiana''), selfheal ('' Prunella vulgaris''), the tropical carnivorous plants '' Triphyophyllum peltatum'' and '' Ancistrocladus heyneanus'', '' Diospyros leucomelas'', a member of the persimmon family, '' Tetracera boiviniana'', the jambul ('' Syzygium formosanum''), flowering quince ('' Pseudocydonia sinensis'', former ''Chaenomeles sinensis KOEHNE''), (''Chaenomeles sinensis KOEHNE'' is now named '' Pseudocydonia sinensis'') rosemary, and '' Pulsatilla chinensis''. Antitumor activity In 1995, betulinic acid ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Betulin
Betulin is an abundant, naturally occurring triterpene. It is commonly isolated from the bark of birch trees, hence its name, from '' betula''. It forms up to 30% of the dry weight of silver birch bark. It is also found in birch sap. '' Inonotus obliquus'' contains betulin. The compound in the bark gives the tree its white color which appears to protect the tree from mid-winter overheating by the sun. As a result, birches are some of the northernmost occurring deciduous trees. History Betulin was discovered in 1788 by German- Russian chemist Johann Tobias Lowitz. Chemistry Chemically, betulin is a triterpenoid of lupane structure. It has a pentacyclic ring structure, and hydroxyl groups in positions C3 and C28. See also * Abietic acid * Stanol ester * Phytosterol Phytosterols are phytosteroids, similar to cholesterol, that serve as structural components of biological membranes of plants. They encompass plant sterols and stanol ester, stanols. More than 250 ster ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Camellia Japonica
''Camellia japonica'', known as common camellia, or Japanese camellia, is a species of Camellia, a flowering plant genus in the family Theaceae. There are thousands of cultivars of ''C. japonica'' in cultivation, with many colors and forms of flowers. It is native to China and Japan. The cultivation of ''Camellia japonica'' started in China. Its widespread cultivation can be traced back to the Song Dynasty, when 15 varieties of ''Camellia japonica'' were recorded in literature. It grows in forests, at altitudes of around . Description ''Camellia japonica'' is a flowering tree or shrub, usually tall, but occasionally up to tall. Some cultivated varieties achieve a size of 72 m2 or more. The youngest branches are purplish brown, becoming grayish brown as they age. Leaves The alternately arranged leathery leaves are dark green on the top side, paler on the underside, usually long by wide with a stalk ( petiole) about long. The base of the leaf is pointed (cuneate), the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
VEGFR-2
Kinase insert domain receptor (KDR, a type IV receptor tyrosine kinase) also known as vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) is a VEGF receptor. ''KDR'' is the human gene encoding it. KDR has also been designated as CD309 (cluster of differentiation 309). KDR is also known as Flk1 (Fetal Liver Kinase 1). The Q472H germline ''KDR'' genetic variant affects VEGFR-2 phosphorylation and has been found to associate with microvessel density in NSCLC. Interactions Kinase insert domain receptor has been shown to interact with SHC2, Annexin A5 and SHC1. See also * Cluster of differentiation * VEGF receptors VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) are receptors for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). There are three main subtypes of VEGFR, numbered 1, 2 and 3. Depending on alternative splicing, they may be membrane-bound (mbVEGFR) or soluble (sVEGFR). ... References Further reading * * * * * * * * External links * * Clusters of d ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Prostate
The prostate is an male accessory gland, accessory gland of the male reproductive system and a muscle-driven mechanical switch between urination and ejaculation. It is found in all male mammals. It differs between species anatomically, chemically, and physiologically. Anatomically, the prostate is found below the bladder, with the urethra passing through it. It is described in gross anatomy as consisting of lobes and in microanatomy by zone. It is surrounded by an elastic, fibromuscular capsule and contains glandular tissue, as well as connective tissue. The prostate produces and contains fluid that forms part of semen, the substance emitted during ejaculation as part of the male human sexual response cycle, sexual response. This prostatic fluid is slightly Alkalinity, alkaline, milky or white in appearance. The alkalinity of semen helps neutralize the acidity of the vagina, vaginal tract, prolonging the lifespan of sperm. The prostatic fluid is expelled in the first part of ej ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
TNF-alpha
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), formerly known as TNF-α, is a chemical messenger produced by the immune system that induces inflammation. TNF is produced primarily by activated macrophages, and induces inflammation by binding to its receptors on other cells. It is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily, a family of transmembrane proteins that are cytokines, chemical messengers of the immune system. Excessive production of TNF plays a critical role in several inflammatory diseases, and TNF-blocking drugs are often employed to treat these diseases. TNF is produced primarily by macrophages but is also produced in several other cell types, such as T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, and mast cells. It is produced rapidly in response to pathogens, cytokines, and environmental stressors. TNF is initially produced as a type II transmembrane protein (tmTNF), which is then cleaved by TNF alpha converting enzyme (TACE) into a soluble form (sTNF) and secreted from the cell. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
CatSper
The cation channels of sperm also known as Catsper channels or CatSper, are ion channels that are related to the two-pore channels and distantly related to TRP channels. The four members of this family form voltage-gated Ca2+ channels that seem to be specific to sperm. As sperm encounter the more alkaline environment of the female reproductive tract, CatSper channels become activated by the altered ion concentration. These channels are required for proper fertilization. The study of these channels has been slow because they do not traffic to the cell membrane in many heterologous systems. There are several factors that can activate the CatSper calcium channel, depending on species. In the human, the channel is activated by progesterone released by the oocyte. Progesterone binds to the protein ABHD2 which is present in the sperm plasma membrane, which causes ABHD2 to cleave an inhibitor of CatSper (2-arachidonoylglycerol) into arachidonic acid and glycerol. The human CatSpe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
T Helper Cell
The T helper cells (Th cells), also known as CD4+ cells or CD4-positive cells, are a type of T cell that play an important role in the adaptive immune system. They aid the activity of other immune cells by releasing cytokines. They are considered essential in B cell Immunoglobulin class switching, antibody class switching, breaking Cross-presentation, cross-tolerance in dendritic cells, in the activation and growth of cytotoxic T cells, and in maximizing bactericidal activity of phagocytes such as macrophages and neutrophils. CD4+ cells are mature Th cells that express the surface protein CD4. Genetic variation in regulatory elements expressed by CD4+ cells determines susceptibility to a broad class of autoimmune diseases. Structure and function Th cells contain and release cytokines to aid other immune cells. Cytokines are small protein mediators that alter the behavior of target cells that express Receptor (biochemistry), receptors for those cytokines. These cells help polar ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
